President presents Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri awards

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday presented the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards for 2019 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here. Actor-dancer Prabhu Deva, late journalist Kuldip Nayar (awarded posthumously) and industrialist John Chambers are among the recipients.

One of the highest civilian awards of the country, the Padma awards were conferred at the 2019 Civil Investiture Ceremony.

This year, 112 Padma awards, including four Padma Vibhushan, 14 Padma Bhushan and 94 Padma Shri, were announced on Republic Day.

Twenty-one of the awardees are women, 11 foreigners/non-resident Indian/Person of Indian-origin/Overseas citizen of India, three posthumous awardees and one transgender person.

The awards are given in various disciplines — art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service, among others.

Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order, and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field.